Bradford As One – the Next Step to Save the Odeon

Bradford as One Syima Aslam reflects on the launch of Bradford One, the next step to save Bradford’s Odeon …

This week saw the launch of Bradford One – a newly set up community group who aim to take the “Save the Odeon” campaign to the next level by redeveloping the old cinema into a multi-purpose venue for the people of Bradford. The keynote speaker at the event, actor/comedian and chair of The Civic Voice Griff Rhys Jones, gave words of both encouragement and advice. He talked about the challenges ahead to raise the money needed to take the next step but also illustrated, from his own experiences at the Hackney Empire, how this was completely possible. Talking later, to Yorkshire Post Arts Correspondent Nick Ahad, he also spoke about the importance of local people taking back ownership of city centres, and the buildings in them, so that not everything is left to central and local authorities.

This was one of the reasons that I was at the launch. Having lived and worked in Bradford for the last ten years I’ve been aware of the “Save the Odeon” campaign for a long time. Once upon a time, not too long ago, I owned and ran a restaurant – Markaz – in Centenary Square just across the road from the Odeon, until it closed at the start of last year. The proposed redevelopment of the Odeon and the Westfield site were some of the factors for choosing Centenary Square as the location for Markaz. My reasoning was that located in the middle of these two sites, that would both act as hub for the city, it was an area that would attract increasing footfall as the these sites became active. In short, I bought into the master plan vision of Bradford, which I was told at the time (2004), was just 12-18 months away. However the experience for me was one of disillusionment, of hopes raised and dashed, as plans circulated around the sites but failed to come to fruition. As a sole trader, many 12-18 months later, having tried to hold on for Westfield, for the Odeon, for City Park I couldn’t hold on any longer and had to let go.

But despite my personal experience, I still believe in Bradford. Having a background in inward investment and regeneration I could, and still can, see the potential. The requisite jigsaw pieces needed to make the regeneration happen are all in place, just needing a catalyst to set off the reactions. The first of these may well be the City Park, which has transformed the area into one that could rival any location in Europe. Although I have to be honest, the disruption that the development of the Park caused to my business in terms of a massive decline in footfall, coupled with the lack of help at the time from the council to alleviate the hardship engendered, were some of the key factors in the closure of the restaurant. Despite this, I believe that, for the City of Bradford it has been a positive move. It may or may not bring in the millions of visitors that have been suggested but, whether or not this happens, it has opened up the space for the people of Bradford. This coupled with the launch of the City Centre Growth Zone by the council, aimed at retaining existing and attracting new businesses through rate rebates and skills initiatives, should start pushing the city centre in the right direction. However, the opening up of the space does mean that the re-development of the Odeon, sitting alongside the City Park, is as key and pressing an issue as ever it was.

It is vitally important that this iconic building, that has been a part of the Bradford skyline since the 1930s should be given a new lease of life. It is also just as important, that this happens in a way that reflects both the character and make-up of the city of Bradford as a whole. That it becomes a building which all sections of the community, can identify with and, feel that they have an ownership of. I was struck by Griff Rhys Jones saying that when the riots took place in Hackney, the Empire was a building that was not touched because even the disadvantaged communities felt they had a relationship with it. Bradford too has some black spots in its history, the pervading negativity of which the whole city has had to battle against, and the Asian/Muslim community in particular. It is time to put all of this behind us. The Odeon could be key in creating a space that celebrates the cultural diversity of Bradford, because we do need to start celebrating and harnessing the benefits, rather than apologising for it. The holes in our collective heart need to start filling up.

There was a reason for, and a vision behind, why I chose the name Markaz for my restaurant and located it in the city centre – rather than, as is the norm for Asian restaurants, on the Asian fringes of the city. The word Markaz means “central meeting place” in both Arabic and Urdu and this was meant to reflect, not only the cuisine but, an aspiration of what the space would be. A place, in the city centre, where all the different communities of Bradford could come together and mingle in a neutral environment. When the restaurant opened, I was amazed to be told by a number of my Muslim customers that this was the first time they were coming to a restaurant in the city centre. This was balanced by the obvious nervousness of a number of English customers, coming in for a meal with work from the affluent belt ringing Bradford, at being in the city centre in the evening.

I believe that in order to regenerate – socially, culturally and economically – Bradford needs to shatter these myths for all of its communities. Moving forward the vision for Bradford needs to be cohesive; one that recognises the economic strength and contribution of all the different ethnicities that make up this city. The communities too need to play their part in this process – the citizens of Bradford, all of them, need to stand up and be counted in the regeneration of the city. For me, the most beautiful element of City Park has been seeing the cultural diversity of Bradford being reflected in the mirror pool.

The setting up of Bradford One, and the redevelopment of the Odeon, could be just the catalyst that Bradford needs – a symbol of renewed hope and faith. The importance of the Odeon lies not only in that it is a landmark building, but also in that it is one much beloved by the community that has worked so hard to save it. No glossy new glass and steel facade would be able to engender the sense of satisfaction among the community, that a redevelopment that saves as much of the original building as possible will. The format of Bradford One where the community has a share in the ownership and a voice that can be heard and provide guidance, is something that is far more powerful than, and has value and significance far beyond, the redevelopment itself. It is the community reclaiming and expressing faith in this city – showing both in word and deed that they believe that it is worth investing in. Bradford is a unique city with a richness and diversity that could make it a truly wonderful place. It needs a clear vision and focus to knit all these diverse elements together and make it the vibrant thriving place it can be.

It has taken hard work, determination and passion for the group to come this far. Moving forward, Bradford One will need to combine head and heart to ensure a sustainable development that, meets not only community needs but, is also commercially viable. It will be the successful combination of these two elements that will ensure that the Odeon remains an enduring part of the Bradford landscape.

bradfordone.com

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Syima Aslam is a Bradford based blogger reflecting on Islam, feminism, culture and parenting.